Tigers score big on “Take Down Cancer” Night
Medford’s Luis Lopez, top, works to secure a dominant position against his Maple River/USC opponent, Wyatt Walters. Lopez went on to win the match by a 9-0 major decision and sparked the rally that led the Tigers to a 48-14 win over the Longhorns. Photo courtesy of Skye's The Limit Photography
The Medford Tigers hosted their “Take Down Cancer” dual against the Maple River/USC Longhorns last week, and along with winning 48-14, the real highlight of the night was a special moment shared between honoree Angelica Goff and her son, 113-pound Tigers wrestler Luis Lopez.
After being diagnosed with stomach cancer back in October, Goff has continued her fight against the disease and was present to share a hug with Lopez – who ran into the stands to meet her after he took down Maple River/USC’s Wyatt Walters by a 9-0 major decision.
“The moment was absolutely incredible. I can't express enough how proud he has made me. That night was the cherry on top, and it definitely showed how much of a family we all are here. The crowd was absolutely in that moment with us as well. It was a really proud mom moment,” said Goff.
After the Longhorns snatched the opening bout via a 9-0 major decision, Lopez was the one to turn the tide with his win to even the score at 4-4.
Lopez’s win not only won over the crowd, but it also sparked the run that eventually led Medford to a dominant win.
In the following five matches between 120 and 145 pounds, Medford went undefeated and collected two wins by fall, two major decisions and a decision win for 23 points.
Winning during the stretch were Kaden Harfmann, Jack Meyer, Tommy Elwood, Evan Schweisthal, and Charley Elwood.
After earning a 27-4 lead, Medford dropped a match by decision at 152 pounds but quickly rebounded.
Garron Hoffman won his match at 160 pounds via a 7-2 decision, and Tate Hermes won by fall at 170 pounds to put the Tigers back up 36-7.
To round out the dual, Medford’s Aiden Ahrens and Mason Degrood both collected forfeit wins at 182 and 285 pounds, while the Tigers were bested at 195 and 220 pounds to split the final four matches.
However, with Maple River/USC mathematically incapable of winning the dual after the 170-pound match, Tigers fans knew that they were en route to a celebration long before the dual had ended.
While the win was another huge accomplishment for the Tigers in their hunt for a conference title, undoubtedly the star of the show was a community rallying together to show its love and appreciation for a family of its own.
Lopez’s win came in his first match back from a month's absence due to injury and reflecting on the nerves that came before the match and how he felt on the mat, the junior’s message was simple: There’s nobody he would rather have in his corner than his mom, Angelica.
Those looking to aid Goff in her fight can show their support via donations and the purchase of items from https://medfordtakedowncancer.itemorder.com/